Justice Department Obtains Back Pay for Air Force Veteran in Settlement with Wal-Mart

WASHINGTON — The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a consent decree that will resolve its employment lawsuit on behalf of Sean Thornton against Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest retailer.

The complaint, filed on March 31, 2008 in the U.S. District Court in Orlando, Fla., alleges that Wal-Mart violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 by failing or refusing to reinstate Thornton to his civilian employment position as a cashier at a Wal-Mart store in Orange City, Fla., after he was discharged by the U.S. Air Force.

The consent decree, if approved by the court, will require that Wal-Mart pay Thornton $12,000 in back pay, less legally required employee income tax withholding and other statutory employee deductions.

“The sacrifices made by our Armed Forces are invaluable to this nation,” said Grace Chung Becker, Acting Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice remains committed to protecting the employment rights of men and women who serve our country in the military.”